Peaceful Rise: Using Chinese Strategic Culture to Shape Flexible Deterrent Options for a Taiwan Strait Conflict

摘要

An understanding of China's strategic culture can significantly assist the Joint Force Commander (JFC) in planning for and responding to potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Flexible Deterrent Options (FDOs) are the JFC's tools to control escalation, with two basic purposes: (1) to resolve a crisis before armed conflict and, if that fails, (2) to position U.S. forces to decisively prevail in the ensuing military action. Strategic culture is best understood as the impact of a unique historical, cultural, and national perspective in shaping a nation's strategic preferences on the use of force. In the case of China, this strategic culture is based on an active defense that includes preemptive action to maintain territorial integrity and defend China's sovereignty. This paper examines the elements of deterrence -- interests, capabilities and resolve -- in terms of how Chinese strategic culture influences potential conflict across the Taiwan Strait. While this paper does not recommend specific FDOs for responding to a potential conflict with the PRC, it does offer conclusions about how the JFC's planning for a Taiwan Strait crisis is strengthened through an understanding of Chinese strategic culture.